Event Chains

Ocean eddies drive complex event chains within a global system through distinct events in time and space. To assess how small-scale ocean processes interact with the large-scale ocean circulation, the following hypotheses shall be addressed by MOSES event-driven field campaigns:

(1) Mesoscale and submesoscale eddies play an important role in transferring energy along the energy cascade from the large-scale circulation to dissipation at the molecular level.

(2) Mesoscale and submesoscale eddies are an important driver in determining onset, magnitude and characteristics of primary production in the ocean and contribute significantly to global primary production.

(3) Mesoscale and submesoscale eddies are important for shaping extreme biogeochemical environments (e.g. pH, oxygen) in the oceans, thus acting as a source/sink function for greenhouse gases.

event chains ocean eddies — Schematic diagram of event chain triggered by ocean eddies. Eddies are an important component in the ocean energy cascade linking the large-scale ocean circulation with turbulence. Mesoscale and submesoscale eddies are drivers for nutrient transport and marine productivity. They are therefore important for oxygen production, oxygen minimum zones, or the formation of greenhouse gases.

Coordination

Prof. Arne Körtzinger, GEOMAR | akoertzinger@geomar.de

News

The MOSES Data Discovery Portal is the central component of the MOSES data management infrastructure and is now online for all interested data users. The portal provides MOSES campaign metadata as well as download links.

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Ongoing Activities

Last of three ship expeditions launched on 31 May in upwelling area off West Africa

Oceanic eddies play an important role in the mixing and transport of nutrients or of physical properties, such as heat. In this way, they influence the flow of substances to the seafloor or the occurrence of species. Scientists of the expedition M182 – MOSES Eddy Study III, the last of a series of three research cruises of the Helmholtz initiative MOSES to the upwelling area off Mauritania, are now investigating the effects of ocean eddies in more detail. Their focus is on carbon transport from the sea surface to the seafloor, the mechanisms of the biological carbon pump, and the export of carbon to the deep sea. These processes affect carbon dioxide uptake in the ocean and thus are directly linked to climate change.