Complexity of Mesoscale Eddy Diffusivity in the Ocean

Stirring of water by mesoscale currents (“eddies”) leads to large-scale transport many important oceanic properties (“tracers”). These eddy-induced transports can be related the tracer gradients, using concept turbulent diffusion. The is widely used describe these in real ocean and represent them climate models. This study focuses on inherent complexity corresponding coefficient tensor (“K-tensor”) its components, defined here all spatio-temporal complexity. Results demonstrate that this comprehensive K-tensor space-, time-, direction- tracer-dependent. Using numerical simulations with both idealized models Atlantic circulation, we show lead upgradient eddy fluxes potential importance components. uncovered calls for reconsideration how they are estimated practice, included general circulation theoretically interpreted.