What Can We Learn From Observed Temperature and Salinity Isopycnal Anomalies at Eddy Generation Sites? Application in the Tropical Atlantic Ocean

Based on 18 years of satellite altimetry data and temperature/salinity (θ/S) profiles from Argo floats, we analyze the isopycnal θ/S anomalies (θ'/S') within newborn eddies in tropical Atlantic Ocean (TAO). Our results show that density-coordinates, both anticyclonic (AEs) cyclonic (CEs) can exhibit positive, negative, or nonsignificant θ'/S'. Almost half sampled do not have significant θ'/S' at their generation site. The other exhibits positive negative θ', up to ±0.5°C typically. More than 70% them a subsurface signature. Refined analyses vertical structure new-born three selected subregions dominance cold (warm) AEs likely due advection large-scale potential vorticity (PV) θ. PV is key parameter eddy dynamics. Isopycnal advection, friction diapycnal mixing be involved which vortices then emerge. However, it difficult evaluate mesoscale. In this study, propose combine process could its transformation ocean. We argue created by water-masses are associated with contrast, frictional forcing also creates but without modifying θ/S. Even though our remain qualitative, proposed diagnostics interest validate realistic models use anomaly sources.