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<p>The Leeuwin Current (LC) is a poleward-flowing eastern boundary current off the west coast of Australia, exhibiting robust eddy activity. In this study, we investigated LC eddy energetics off the southwest coast of Australia (29°–33°S, 112°–116°E) using a high-resolution ocean model simulation, validated against ocean observations. The eddy Reynolds stress is positive at the LC core, suggesting that eddies tend to steer the LC offshore. The barotropic conversion rate of eddy energy displays pronounced along-stream variations on the offshore side of the LC: mean flow-to-eddy conversion north of 32°S, consistent with previous studies; however, eddy-to-mean flow conversion downstream of 32°S, where the mean flow of the LC re-emerges from the active eddy field. The striking along-stream variation of conversion likely has implications for eddy dynamics, indicating that eddies generated upstream by barotropic instability can have a potential role to accelerate the downstream current. The baroclinic conversion rate peaks near 114.5°E, 32°S, along the offshore edge of the LC, further suggesting the importance of mixed instability on LC dynamics. Our results shed light on eddy-mean current interaction in the LC and have implications for the regional climate and biogeochemical research.</p>

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Eddy-current interaction in the Leeuwin current off the Southwest Coast of Australia

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月13日

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  • Qin-Yan Liu,
  • Ming Feng,
  • Huaming Huang,
  • Dongxiao Wang,
  • Weiqiang Wang,
  • Yukio Masumoto,
  • Andreas Schiller,
  • Ju Chen

摘要

The Leeuwin Current (LC) is a poleward-flowing eastern boundary current off the west coast of Australia, exhibiting robust eddy activity. In this study, we investigated LC eddy energetics off the southwest coast of Australia (29°–33°S, 112°–116°E) using a high-resolution ocean model simulation, validated against ocean observations. The eddy Reynolds stress is positive at the LC core, suggesting that eddies tend to steer the LC offshore. The barotropic conversion rate of eddy energy displays pronounced along-stream variations on the offshore side of the LC: mean flow-to-eddy conversion north of 32°S, consistent with previous studies; however, eddy-to-mean flow conversion downstream of 32°S, where the mean flow of the LC re-emerges from the active eddy field. The striking along-stream variation of conversion likely has implications for eddy dynamics, indicating that eddies generated upstream by barotropic instability can have a potential role to accelerate the downstream current. The baroclinic conversion rate peaks near 114.5°E, 32°S, along the offshore edge of the LC, further suggesting the importance of mixed instability on LC dynamics. Our results shed light on eddy-mean current interaction in the LC and have implications for the regional climate and biogeochemical research.