Arctic circulation from a Lagrangian perspective

Abstract

[EN] In the context of rapid increase of temperature in the polar regions, inducing a dramatic ice melting, Lagrangian transport in the Arctic Ocean becomes an area of key interest. There exists evidence of changes in the circulation of water masses at different depths such as a notable decrease in intensity of the so-called Beaufort Gyre and the discharge of a great amount of fresh water into the North-West Atlantic Ocean. These facts may have a direct impact on the global circulation of water and heat. The aim of this talk is to show the phase portrait of the sea currents throughout the Arctic Ocean, which allows us to study aspects of their dynamics. This is done by means of the numerical method known as Lagrangian descriptors, which computes and graphically displays flow structures over a given domain of the ocean, highlighting coherent jet circulation patterns in red color.