Cross-Sensor Analysis of Physical and Biological Implications of Eddy Signatures in the Benguela and California Current Regions

Sheekela Baker-Yeboah, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD, United States, Deirdre Ann Byrne, NOAA, Boulder, CO, United States, Eric W Leuliette, NOAA College Park, College Park, MD, United States and Paul M DiGiacomo, NOAA, NESDIS, College Park, MD, United States
Abstract:
Variability in sea surface height (SSH) contain changes from mass in the water column and variability from purely steric changes, which are combined when viewed in altimeter data. Using the strong correlation between altimeter and in situ pressure sensor–equipped inverted echo sounder (PIES) data, an analysis is done using altimeter data in conjunction with Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Ocean Color and blended Sea Surface Temperature data to gain further insight into the physical and biological implications of mesoscale eddies associated with two major upwelling regions: South Africa Benguela Current System and the North American California Current system. An assessment is made of the relationship between slope eddies and open ocean eddy signatures in these upwelling regions.