Small-scale polarization variations in near-inertial deep Mediterranean horizontal waterflow

Abstract

Deep-sea observations are reported of horizontal waterflow differences with typical amplitudes of 0.02 m s-1 over 50-m small scales so that relative vorticity reaches values of the inertial frequency f. The timeseries observations are made using a complex mooring system deployed in the 2500-m deep Mediterranean Sea, where vertical density stratification is extremely weak, with buoyancy frequency O(f), and the slow waterflow with total speeds <0.07 m s-1 is dominated by inertial internal waves and sub-mesoscale eddies. Horizontal waterflow differences increase when polarization, i.e. direction of traversal of elliptic oscillatory motion, switches sign. Common anticyclonic polarization of inertial motions is predominantly found under near-homogeneous conditions. It alternates with uncommon cyclonic polarization under stratified-water conditions, varyingly over 50-m distances. The alternation is in line with predictions from non-traditional inertio-gravity wave theory, but only when relatively strong turbulent convection causes local reduced stratification, as observed.