OS - recent papers

Distributed optical fibre sensing in physical oceanography: emergence and future prospects

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 07:32:57 +0200

Distributed optical fibre sensing in physical oceanography: emergence and future prospects
Alberto C. Naveira Garabato, Carl P. Spingys, Andrew J. Lucas, Tiago S. Dotto, Christian T. Wild, Scott W. Tyler, Ted A. Scambos, Christopher B. Kratt, Giuseppe Cappelli, Ethan F. Williams, Mariona Claret, Hannah E. Glover, Meagan E. Wengrove, Madison M. Smith, Michael G. Baker, Giuseppe Marra, Max Tamussino, Zitong Feng, David Lloyd, Liam Taylor, Mikael Mazur, Maria-Daphne Mangriotis, Aaron Micallef, Jennifer Ward Neale, Oleg A. Godin, Matthew H. Alford, Emma P. M. Gregory, Michael A. Clare, Hamid Shiri, Angel Ruiz Angulo, Kathryn L. Gunn, Ben I. Moat, Isobel A. Yeo, Afonso Loureiro, Alessandro Silvano, Arthur Hartog, and Mohammad Belal
Ocean Sci., 22, 1129–1167, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-1129-2026, 2026
Distributed optical fibre sensing (DOFS) is a technology that enables continuous, real-time measurements of environmental parameters along a fibre optic cable. Here, we review the recently emerged applications of DOFS in physical oceanography, and offer a perspective on the technology’s potential for future growth in the field.

Coastal circulation and dispersion of passive tracers in the Red River plume region: unveiling seasonal- and intra-seasonal variability

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:32:57 +0200

Coastal circulation and dispersion of passive tracers in the Red River plume region: unveiling seasonal- and intra-seasonal variability
Thanh Huyen Tran, Alexei Sentchev, Dylan Dumas, Charles-Antoine Guerin, Sylvain Ouillon, and Kim Cuong Nguyen
Ocean Sci., 22, 1105–1127, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-1105-2026, 2026
The research used high-resolution high-frequency radar data and surface drifters to investigate surface circulation patterns in the Red River plume area of the Gulf of Tonkin from August to December 2024. Particle spreading intensified and became highly scattered rather than remaining clustered as particles approached river outflows and eddy-dominated zones. The study shows that material transport and spreading became remarkably faster during Typhoon Yagi 2024 than under normal conditions.

Polarity and direction dependence of energetic cross-frontal eddy transport in the Southern Ocean's Pacific sector

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 07:32:57 +0200

Polarity and direction dependence of energetic cross-frontal eddy transport in the Southern Ocean's Pacific sector
Huimin Wang, Lingqiao Cheng, Erik Behrens, Zhuang Chen, Jennifer Devine, and Guoping Zhu
Ocean Sci., 22, 1085–1104, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-1085-2026, 2026
This study focused on the cross-frontal eddies (CFEs) in the Pacific sector. By analyzing 23 years of satellite and Argo float data, we found that the behaviors of these CFEs vary according to their polarity and direction. These powerful CFEs play a key role in transporting heat and nutrients meridionally, and helping to counteract the effects of strengthening winds and inhomogeneous warming.

Increased ocean heat transport to the central Arctic despite a well working Barents Sea Cooling Machine

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 07:32:57 +0200

Increased ocean heat transport to the central Arctic despite a well working Barents Sea Cooling Machine
Shaun A. Eisner, James A. Carton, Leon Chafik, and Lars H. Smedsrud
Ocean Sci., 22, 1073–1084, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-1073-2026, 2026
The Barents Sea is a major route for Atlantic Water to enter the Arctic. Cold air cools incoming Atlantic Water before it exits to the Arctic through the St. Anna Trough. We derive the first long-term estimate of the heat leaving the Barents Sea through St. Anna Trough. The heat leaving has increased since 1980, but only by half as much as the increase in heat entering. Finally, we present evidence for a previously proposed "ocean feedback" mechanism to help cool inflowing Atlantic Water.

Advances in monitoring the Black Sea: a new regional multidecadal ocean reanalysis at 1∕40° resolution

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 07:32:57 +0100

Advances in monitoring the Black Sea: a new regional multidecadal ocean reanalysis at 1∕40° resolution
Leonardo Lima, Diana Azevedo, Mehmet Ilicak, Eric Jansen, Filipe Costa, Adil Sozer, Pietro Miraglio, and Emanuela Clementi
Ocean Sci., 22, 1051–1072, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-1051-2026, 2026
We used a high-resolution ocean model to investigate how the Black Sea is responding to external drivers, including climate change. Our results show clear warming, particularly in the upper 150 m, and reveal significant changes in ocean circulation and water masses. The model also supports the development of ocean monitoring indicators that help track the sea’s response to climate-related trends and improve our understanding of how ocean conditions in the Black Sea evolve.

Characterisation of past marine heatwaves around South Pacific Island countries: what really matters?

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 07:32:57 +0100

Characterisation of past marine heatwaves around South Pacific Island countries: what really matters?
Shilpa Lal, Sophie Cravatte, Christophe Menkes, Jed Macdonald, Romain Le Gendre, Ines Mangolte, Cyril Dutheil, Neil J. Holbrook, and Simon Nicol
Ocean Sci., 22, 1023–1049, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-1023-2026, 2026
This paper characterizes historical (1981–2023) marine heatwaves in the tropical southwestern Pacific, where they pose a challenge for marine resource dependent Islands. Heatwaves are distinguished as a function of their spatial extent, signature at the coast, and seasonality, to allow a better understanding of their impacts on ecosystems. Marine heatwaves are getting longer and more frequent, with greater spatial extents. Our results aim to inform the Pacific Islands on their vulnerability.

Atlantic Water flow through Fram Strait to the Arctic Ocean measured by repeated glider transects

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 07:32:57 +0100

Atlantic Water flow through Fram Strait to the Arctic Ocean measured by repeated glider transects
Vår Dundas and Ilker Fer
Ocean Sci., 22, 1003–1021, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-1003-2026, 2026
We used ocean gliders to measure separate circulation branches of warm Atlantic water flowing into the Arctic through a key passage west of Svalbard. Over three years, gliders revealed that two main current branches together carry about five million m3 s-1 northward, with large variations linked to wind patterns. These currents influence Arctic ice and climate. Our study shows gliders can capture changes missed by traditional methods, and year-round missions are needed for a complete picture.

Marine heatwaves variability and trends in the Patagonian Shelf

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 07:32:57 +0100

Marine heatwaves variability and trends in the Patagonian Shelf
Ana L. Delgado, Vincent Combes, and Gotzon Basterretxea
Ocean Sci., 22, 961–978, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-961-2026, 2026
Marine heatwaves are becoming more common and can disrupt life in the sea, yet little was known about them on the Patagonian Shelf, one of the world's most productive marine regions. We found they occur about twice a year and are increasing in the north as the ocean warms. Climate variability such as La Niña can intensify them, highlighting growing risks for marine ecosystems.

Comparative mesoscale eddy dynamics under geostrophic versus cyclogeostrophic balance from satellite altimetry

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 07:32:57 +0100

Comparative mesoscale eddy dynamics under geostrophic versus cyclogeostrophic balance from satellite altimetry
Xinman Zhu, Yuhan Cao, Linxiao Liu, Yigang Deng, Ruixiang Liu, and Zhiwei You
Ocean Sci., 22, 979–1002, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-979-2026, 2026
Mesoscale eddies influence marine life and global climate, yet past studies neglected curvature effects. Using satellite data from geostrophic and cyclogeostrophic balance (including centrifugal force), we analyzed five North Pacific regions. Cyclogeostrophic eddies were larger but shorter-lived. Anticyclonic eddies move faster, store more energy, yet are less stable and break up easily. This improves surface flow dynamics insights, enhancing climate and marine ecosystem models.

Thermodynamic concepts used in physical oceanography

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 07:32:57 +0100

Thermodynamic concepts used in physical oceanography
Trevor J. McDougall
Ocean Sci., 22, 923–960, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-923-2026, 2026
Marine science has adopted the Conservative Temperature and Absolute Salinity variables of TEOS-10 (the International Thermodynamic Equation Of Seawater - 2010), and here we review the thermodynamic theory behind this change of practice. Ocean heat content and the poleward oceanic heat flux are accurately evaluated using Conservative Temperature. Absolute Salinity incorporates the variable composition of seawater, and ocean models now need to incorporate this feature. The available methods for evaluating approximately neutral surfaces are also discussed.

Tidal signatures on surface chlorophyll a concentration in the Brazilian Equatorial Margin

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 07:32:57 +0100

Tidal signatures on surface chlorophyll a concentration in the Brazilian Equatorial Margin
Carina Regina de Macedo, Ariane Koch-Larrouy, José Carlos Bastos da Silva, Jorge Manuel Magalhães, Fernand Assene, Manh Duy Tran, Isabelle Dadou, Amine M'Hamdi, Trung Kien Tran, and Vincent Vantrepotte
Ocean Sci., 22, 871–892, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-871-2026, 2026
We investigated how ocean tides influence marine phytoplankton along the North Brazilian coast. Using satellite data from 2005 to 2021, we found that tides can either enhance or reduce phytoplankton growth on the continental shelf. Offshore, internal tides stimulate primary production along their pathways. These results improve our understanding of how tidal processes shape marine life in tropical coastal regions.

Best practices for estimating turbulent dissipation from oceanic single-point velocity timeseries observations

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 07:32:57 +0100

Best practices for estimating turbulent dissipation from oceanic single-point velocity timeseries observations
Cynthia E. Bluteau, Danielle J. Wain, Julia C. Mullarney, and Craig L. Stevens
Ocean Sci., 22, 893–921, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-893-2026, 2026
This article provides best practices for estimating an ocean turbulence parameter, epsilon, from velocity measurements. Improper data handling can lead to significant errors in the estimated mixing, propagating into estimates of heat transfers, salt, dissolved gases, and nutrients. The article explains how to process velocity datasets using benchmark datasets from different instruments and platforms in varied ocean environments. The datasets allow users to test their processing algorithms.

A first predictive mechanistic model of cold-water coral biomass and respiration based on physiology, hydrodynamics, and organic matter transport

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 07:32:57 +0100

A first predictive mechanistic model of cold-water coral biomass and respiration based on physiology, hydrodynamics, and organic matter transport
Evert de Froe, Christian Mohn, Karline Soetaert, Anna-Selma van der Kaaden, Gert-Jan Reichart, Laurence H. De Clippele, Sandra R. Maier, and Dick van Oevelen
Ocean Sci., 22, 843–870, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-843-2026, 2026
Cold-water corals are important reef-building animals in the deep sea and are distributed globally. Until now, scientists have been mapping and predicting where cold-water corals can be found using video transects and statistical models. This study provides the first process-based model in which corals are predicted based on ocean currents and food particle movement. The results show that resupply of food by tidal currents near the seafloor is crucial for predicting where corals can grow.

The role of cyclonic eddies in the detachment and separation of Loop Current eddies

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 07:32:57 +0100

The role of cyclonic eddies in the detachment and separation of Loop Current eddies
Marco Larrañaga, Julien Jouanno, Eric P. Chassignet, Giovanni Durante, Ilkyeong Ma, Julio Sheinbaum, and Lionel Renault
Ocean Sci., 22, 821–841, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-821-2026, 2026
We analyze 29 years of satellite altimetry to investigate the detachment of Loop Current Eddies in the Gulf of Mexico. Over half of the Loop Current eddies reattach within a month, while 42 % separate and drift westward. Detachment requires the Loop Current to reach the Mississippi Fan and is strongly influenced by cyclonic eddies, whose configuration determines whether an eddy separates or reattaches to the Loop Current.

Tracking marine debris in Northwest Spain: assessing wind influence with a Lagrangian transport model

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 07:32:57 +0100

Tracking marine debris in Northwest Spain: assessing wind influence with a Lagrangian transport model
Martiño Rial-Osorio, Vicente Pérez-Muñuzuri, and Sara Cloux
Ocean Sci., 22, 777–790, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-777-2026, 2026
We used the MOHID-Lagrangian model to simulate the transport and accumulation of floating debris in the Ría de Arousa (2018–2023). Two-dimensional surface simulations with windage coefficients of 1 %, 3 %, and 5 % represented different debris types. Seasonal and spatial patterns were analyzed using a high-resolution grid and 242 shoreline segments to assess wind and seasonal effects on debris distribution and retention.

Iron isotope insights into equatorial Pacific biogeochemistry

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 07:32:57 +0100

Iron isotope insights into equatorial Pacific biogeochemistry
Capucine Camin, Marie Labatut, Catherine Pradoux, James W. Murray, and François Lacan
Ocean Sci., 22, 791–820, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-791-2026, 2026
This manuscript presents the iron (Fe) concentrations and isotopic compositions of seawater samples for the dissolved and particulate phases in the western and central equatorial Pacific Ocean. The results illustrate the potential of Fe isotopes as powerful tracers for studying the sources and processes influencing Fe in the open ocean. Our analysis reveals an exchange between dissolved and particulate Fe phases, as well as the long-distance preservation of Fe isotopic signatures.

Response of a semi-enclosed sea to perturbed freshwater and open ocean salinity forcing

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 07:32:57 +0100

Response of a semi-enclosed sea to perturbed freshwater and open ocean salinity forcing
Lars Arneborg, Magnus Hieronymus, Per Pemberton, Ye Liu, and Sam T. Fredriksson
Ocean Sci., 22, 761–775, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-761-2026, 2026
Climate change influences estuaries and their ecosystems not only by rising temperatures but also by salinity changes. This modeling study highlights the magnitude and causes of the Baltic Sea salinity sensitivity to fresh water forcing and changed ocean salinity. The large sensitivity to increased fresh water forcing is shown to be caused by dilution of fresh water within the estuary, recirculation of much of the outflow water back into the estuary, as well as decreasing inflows of ocean water.

Evaluation of Extreme Sea-Levels and Flood Return Period using Tidal Day Maxima at Coastal Locations in the United Kingdom

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 07:32:57 +0100

Evaluation of Extreme Sea-Levels and Flood Return Period using Tidal Day Maxima at Coastal Locations in the United Kingdom
Stephen E. Taylor
Ocean Sci., 22, 749–759, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-749-2026, 2026
Coastal planners need to know the the risk of coastal flooding so that sea defences can be sited appropriately. The author has developed a novel technique which analyses tide gauge data, estimating the risk versus the height of sea-defences required. A comparison with results of a UK Environment Agency 2011 study shows good agreement. The new approach is simpler to automate than the method used in that study, and can improve strategies for coastal management and resilience planning.

Mesoscale variability and water mass transport of the Caribbean Current revealed by high-resolution glider observations

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 07:32:57 +0100

Mesoscale variability and water mass transport of the Caribbean Current revealed by high-resolution glider observations
Joseph C. Gradone, William D. Wilson, Scott M. Glenn, Leah N. Hopson, and Travis N. Miles
Ocean Sci., 22, 735–748, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-735-2026, 2026
The Caribbean Through-Flow carries warm Atlantic water westward, influencing climate and ocean circulation, yet its variability is poorly resolved. Using over 90 days of autonomous underwater glider data collected in the central Caribbean, we observed a sharp drop in transport linked to mesoscale eddy activity. While transport varied, the water mass composition remained stable. These results demonstrate how gliders can capture dynamic ocean processes that shape inter-basin exchange.

Horizontal transport on the continental shelf driven by periodic rotary wind stress

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 07:32:57 +0100

Horizontal transport on the continental shelf driven by periodic rotary wind stress
Nathan Paldor and Lazar Friedland
Ocean Sci., 22, 727–734, https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-727-2026, 2026
The work develops a Lagrangian theory of the transport on the continental shelf forced by periodically rotating wind driven. A strong resonance occurs when the wind stress rotates counterclockwise at the local Coriolis frequency, manifested in a fast longshore drift. For clockwise sub-inertial wind rotation the drift is directed with the coast to its right while in all other frequencies the drift is directed with the coast to its left.