It is commonly mentioned in the literature that the first and second baroclinic modes dominate the vertical structure in the tropical ocean. However, most of these studies refer to either theoretical or numerical modeling. There are no quantitative results that confirm the two internal mode dominance through comparisons with velocity observations in the Tropical Atlantic. In this article, we use hydrographic (CTD) and velocity (PEGASUS) profiles obtained during the "Western Tropical Atlantic Experiment-WESTRAX" to evaluate the modal structure of the equatorial currents along 44W, in particular, the North Equatorial Countercurrent (NECC) and the North Equatorial Undercurrent (NEUC). The results show that indeed the first two baroclinic modes explain about 50% of the vertical structure of the currents on average. We also find indication of a clear seasonal variation on the modal composition, a probable consequence of the proximity of the study region to the western boundary layer, and therefore, the source of both NECC and NEUC. As a mather of fact, the first three dynamical mode account for about 63% of the observed velocity vertical structure, while the first mode alone is responsible for 35-45 % of the measured velocity. These results reasonably agree with previous studies also using the fall WESTRAX cruise. However, the more complex boreal winter cruise velocity patterns yield an increased number of dynamical modes to reconstitute the velocity field. For the both fall and winter cruises, we need six dynamical modes to reproduce 63% of the observed velocity structure. The first three dynamical mode are responsible for 30-40% of the observed signal. A comparative study of the dynamical structure of the zonal equatorial currents at 44W and at more central portions of the Atlantic Ocean basin should be conducted in order to establish the role of the higher order modes and its relation with the western boundary layer.
Equatorial Dynamics; Dynamical Modes; Mesoescale; Equatorial Currents
