Three-dimensional properties of mesoscale eddies in the South China Sea based on eddy-resolving model output

Last decade has witnessed extensive studies on mesoscale oceanic eddies in the Southern China Sea (SCS), however most of these studies are focused on the surface eddies, and three-dimensional features of eddies are not well known except some individual eddies. We apply a three-dimensional eddy detection scheme to a 9-year (2000–2008) eddy-resolving numerical solution to acquire three-dimensional eddy data set in the SCS. The model solution is validated with observational data in terms of both seasonal and intra-seasonal scales. The statistical characteristics of eddies at the sea surface, such as eddy number, lifetime and radius, from the model are comparable with those derived from the satellite altimetry data. The vertical profiles of the physical features of eddies are exposed from the statistical analysis of the three-dimensional eddy data set. For examples, more cyclonic eddies (CEs) are generated than anticyclonic eddies (AEs) in the depth above about 350m and an opposite trend is presented below 350m. The lifetimes of CEs and AEs are statistically equal and no significant variation at different vertical levels. Eddies in the central SCS have the largest size than in other areas and their sizes decrease with the increase in water depth. The relative vorticity amplitude of eddies decreases with the increase in the depth. There are three different types of eddies: bowl-shaped with the largest size at the surface, lens-shaped with the largest size in the middle and cone-shaped with the largest size at the bottom. Most of eddies are bowl-shaped eddies. The three types of eddies have different effects on the temperature and salinity profiles. Eddy genesis mechanisms are discussed and categorized into three types in the SCS: surface wind curl input, current interaction with the bottom topography and Kuroshio intrusion. •Spatial and temporal distribution of three-dimensional properties, such as lifetime, radius are studied.•There are three-type of 3D structures: bowl, lens and cone, about 80% eddies are bowl-shaped.•Surface wind stress input, Kuroshio intrusion and flow bottom topography interaction are the main generation mechanisms.