Three decades of research on the greater Agulhas Current

[摘要] The greater Agulhas Current has been shown to be a key link in the globalthermohaline circulation and an increased understanding of this currentsystem is therefore of more than just local interest. Knowledge on theAgulhas Current system has in fact increased enormously over the past 30years. This review covers some aspects of what has been learnt on thenorthern and the southern parts of the Agulhas Current proper and theirinfluence on the waters and circulation of the adjoining continental shelf.It also discusses the Natal Pulse and new information that has been gainedon how it is triggered and what influence it has. It deals with the Agulhasretroflection, the shedding of Agulhas rings and the movement andcharacteristics of these rings that contributes to the meridionaloverturning circulation of the global ocean. The Agulhas Return Currentforms part of the final outflow of the system and current knowledge on thatcurrent is appraised. The sources of the Agulhas Current have been acontroversial subject for many years and this dispute continues. This isdescribed and discussed, based on what information has been gained fromresearch over the past three decades. Building on what is currently known,some suggestions are given on the most important remaining knowledge gapsand how these could most efficaciously be filled.

[学科分类] 海洋学与技术