The Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

2027 Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

January 12-15, 2027

Observed poleward heat transport by mesoscale eddies in the deep Southern Ocean
ID:153 Oral Presentation

2027-01-12 14:30 (China Standard Time)

Session:Session 38 - Oceanic (Sub)mesoscale Processes and Their Climate Impacts

Abstract
Mesoscale eddies in the Southern Ocean can extend from the surface to the deep ocean and play a crucial role in both regional and global heat budgets. However, sparse in situ observations have limited prior estimates of eddy meridional heat transport (EMHT) to the near surface, leaving deep ocean processes poorly understood. Here, we present the first observational quantification of deep eddy kinetic energy (EKE) and EMHT using Argo data. Our results show that deep EMHT reaches at least the same order of magnitude as the surface transport, despite deep EKE being only one-fifth of surface levels. Float observations and sensitivity experiments reveal that, in contrast to the relatively short-range cross-frontal transport observed near the surface, deep EMHT extends the meridional movement of subtropical warm waters by over ten degrees of latitude closer to Antarctica than that driven by mean flows alone, with about 60% occurring in eddy hotspot regions of the Indian Ocean sector. These findings provide new observational evidence for the role of mesoscale eddies in modulating deep Southern Ocean heat redistribution and their potential impact on Antarctic climate.
 
Speaker
Tongya Liu Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources

Author
Tongya Liu Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources

    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