Typhoon-induced Reorganization of Cyclonic Eddy Alters Nutrient Distributions and Diapycnal Fluxes in the Western North Pacific Subtropical Gyre
ID:1046
Oral Presentation
2027-01-13 16:35 (China Standard Time)
Session:Session 3 - Tropical Cyclone-Ocean Interactions: From Weather to Climate Scales
Abstract
The western North Pacific Subtropical Gyre (wNPSG) is a typical oligotrophic region where nutrient supply to the surface ocean is strongly limited. Cyclonic eddies (CEs) can uplift isopycnals and shoal the nutricline, while typhoons can modulate eddy evolution and enhance vertical mixing. However, how typhoon forcing modifies nutrient distribution and diapycnal transport within a CE remains insufficiently constrained by direct observations. In this study, we examine this issue by tracing a mature CE in the wNPSG before and after the successive passages of typhoons Toraji and Usagi in November 2024, using hydrographic, nutrient, turbulence, and remote sensing data. The observations showed that the CE underwent post-typhoon structural reorganization with the core sea level anomaly increasing from -0.17 to -0.15 m, mean eddy amplitude increasing from 0.13 to 0.17 m, and effective radius expanding from 189 to 229 km. Meanwhile, following typhoon passage, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) concentrations became detectable in the upper ~80 m, where it had been largely below the limit of quantitation before the typhoon, suggesting that post-typhoon CE reorganization was accompanied by changes in upper-ocean nutrient distributions. Mean diapycnal DIN flux at the base of the euphotic zone in the CE also increased from 3.43 ± 4.22 to 5.31 ± 5.12 μmol m-2 d-1, indicating strengthened upward nutrient supply. However, upper-ocean N:P ratios of 0.31 - 1.39, despite enhanced DIN availability associated with typhoon forcing and CE dynamics, remained far below the Redfield ratio of 16, demonstrating persistent N limitation in the wNPSG. These findings highlight the importance of typhoon–eddy interactions in regulating nutrient distribution and supply in oligotrophic oceans.
Speaker
Author
Important Dates
-
Jan 30
2026
Session / Event proposals open
-
Mar 31
2026
Session / Event proposals close
(Extended to April 7) -
Apr 30
2026
Session acceptance notifications
-
Apr 30
2026
Abstract submissions & registration open
-
Jun 30
2026
Abstract submissions close
(Extended to July 21) -
Aug 31
2026
Abstract acceptance notifications
-
Sep 15
2026
Scientific program released
-
Oct 15
2026
Early bird registration closes
-
Jan 12–15
2027
XMAS 2027
