Distribution, Mixing, and Transformation of a Loop Current Ring Waters:
The Case of Gulf of Mexico
Abstract
Mesoscale warm-core rings, known as Loop Current rings (LCRs) reshape
the Gulf of Mexico water masses by redistributing large amounts of heat
and salt laterally. LCRs also transform water masses via diapycnal
mixing, but the mechanisms by which this occurs are poorly measured.
Here, we present glider-MicroPod turbulence observations that reveal
enhanced mixing below the mixed layer, along the eddy edges, driving the
LCR’s heat, salt, and oxygen exchanges. Submesoscale stirring at the
LCR’s edge yields interleavings of adjacent water masses, which
facilitates double-diffusive mixing that transforms Subtropical
Underwater into Gulf Common Water. Our findings highlight the need for
ocean models to parameterize double-diffusive mixing processes directly
resulting from submesoscale tracer stirring, which may be important at
basin scale in the presence of LCRs in the Gulf of Mexico.