Monthly to Decadal Variability of Mesoscale Stirring in the California Current System: Links to Upwelling, Climate Forcing, and Chlorophyll Transport

The California Current System (CCS) is a highly productive eastern boundary upwelling system. Cross-shore transport driven by horizontal stirring from mesoscale (and submesoscale) eddies, fronts, and filaments, which shift surface productivity away the narrow zone inshore. Using an unprecedented 25-year daily record of finite size Lyapunov exponents (FSLEs), we characterize spatial temporal patterns in entire CCS quantify correlations FSLEs with satellite-measured chlorophyll climate indices. annual cycle correlated seasonal CCS, bands intense FSLE propagating to west during season. Annual cycles interannual variability intensity were most prominent north inshore weaker south offshore. Interannual fluctuations showed 3–12 month lagged responses indices, oscillating out phase waters north. Chlorophyll positively meridional band 200–600 km offshore, consistent hypothesis that increased increases export offshore waters. When intensifies negative phases Pacific Decadal Oscillation Ocean Niño index, predict greater organic carbon. Our analyses underscore predictability fluxes their links