Shallow and Intermediate circulation in the equatorial Atlantic

• Applicant: Dr. Jürgen Fischer
• Subject Area: Oceanography
• Term: from 2006 to 2010
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 29735493

The tropical Atlantic and its complex system of zonal current bands, their variability and their relation to climate relevant fluctuations of the eastern upwelling regimes is in the focus of the proposed investigations. SST variability in the equatorial cold tongue is for example significantly correlated with precipitation anomalies over West Africa. The supply of the equatorial upwelling regimes from the western boundary and its variability could be a mechanism affecting SST in the eastern basin and indicate potential predictability for climate variations in the tropical Atlantic region. Consequently, the shallow to intermediate deep circulation in the central tropical Atlantic and its variability on timescales from intraseasonal to interannual will be investigated. In particular we will focus on the connection between the western boundary and the central equatorial Atlantic based on ship-board and moored observations recently gathered onboard RV Meteor. Preliminary analysis of the mean, seasonal and intraseasonal structures and transports of the equatorial currents (EUC, Equatorial Intermediate Current - EIC) shows the potential for substantial scientific work, e. g., on the existence of a mean EIC, which was questioned to exist by the modelling community.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 516: Evaluation of the "Meteor" Expeditions
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. Peter Brandt