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Although numerous studies on mesoscale eddies in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) have been conducted, a comprehensive study on their temporal and spatial characteristics is still lacking. In this study, we combine three eddy detection algorithms to detect eddies from the 26-year sea surface height record in the GoM and examine their characteristics. We find distinct characteristics between Loop Current Eddies (LCEs), Loop Current Frontal Eddies (LCFEs), and mesoscale eddies that are not directly related to the Loop Current (LC). Seasonal variability appears in both the LCFEs and non-LCFE cyclonic eddies and shows large uncertainties. More specifically, more LCFEs are formed in January to July than in August to December, likely related to the seasonal variation of the northward penetration of the LC. And the formation of non-LCFE cyclonic eddies shows a biannual variability, which could be linked to the position and strength of the background current in the western GoM. Low-frequency (interannual to multidecadal) variability is also detected. In the eastern GoM, the extent of northward penetration of the LC can affect the generation of LCFEs and result in low-frequency variations. In the western GoM, the low-frequency variability of eddy occurrence and amplitude could be related to the surface circulation strength. This study can serve as an up-to-date reference for eddy-related investigations in the GoM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerical circulation modeling and observational studies have been conducted to understand the Loop Current (LC) system behaviors in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). One of the factors that may influence the LC are upstream eddies from within the Caribbean Sea. By combining satellite altimetry, sea surface salinity and ocean color data, we demonstrate that mesoscale eddies from the western tropical Atlantic Ocean can eventually make their way to the Gulf of Mexico and likely affect the LC. In addition, our study shows that freshwater of Amazon and Orinoco River origin trapped within mesoscale eddies can also enter the GoM, potentially affecting the GoM stratification. This study provides insights into understanding variations of the LC system and showcases the roles of mesoscale eddies in connecting the open ocean and regional seas. Plain Language Summary: The Loop Current (LC) is the dominant large‐scale oceanic process in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). However, the mechanism for variations of the LC system is still unsolved. Here, we show that some mesoscale eddies originated in the tropical Atlantic Ocean can pass through the Caribbean Sea and eventually enter the GoM. These remotely generated eddies could be an important upstream factor affecting the behavior of the LC. Also, freshwater and other materials (e.g., chlorophyll) trapped in the eddies could reach the GoM as well. In addition to advancing the understanding of the LC system, this study provides an explicit example showing eddies can serve as a route connecting regional seas and the open ocean. Key Points: Some eddies from the Atlantic Ocean can ultimately reach the Gulf of Mexico and likely affect the Loop CurrentFreshwater of Amazon and Orinoco River origin and other materials trapped in eddies could reach the Gulf of MexicoWeakening and strengthening of the long‐propagating eddies are mostly related to the variation of bathymetry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coupling between the surface and near‐bottom currents in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) has been reported in many case studies. However, geographical variations of this coupling need more examination. In this study, surface geostrophic currents derived from satellite‐observed sea surface height and subsurface currents from a collection of deep ocean moorings are used to examine the surface and bottom coupling in different parts of the GoM. The short‐period (30–90 days) fluctuations generated by the Loop Current (LC) and the LC eddies (LCEs) have a more vertically coherent structure and stronger deep ocean expressions than the long‐period fluctuations (>90 days). In addition, the strength of the coupling is modulated by the long‐period variations of the LC and LCE sheddings. Moreover, the surface and bottom coupling varies geographically. In the LC region, the surface fluctuations along the eastern side of the LC are important in causing the bottom current fluctuations through baroclinic instability under the LC and through traveling topographic Rossby waves (TRWs) north of the LC. In the central deep GoM, the bottom currents are affected by the upper fluctuations of the northern LC through both local baroclinic instability and remote TRW propagation. In the northwestern GoM, the bottom current fluctuations are largely related to the remote surface variability from the west side of the LC by TRWs propagating northwestward. This study will help us better understand mechanisms of the bottom current fluctuations that are important for the dispersal of deep ocean materials and properties. Plain Language Summary: Bottom currents in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) are important in many ways, such as transporting fish larvae and spilled oil. However, in contrast to surface currents that are easily derived from the abundant satellite observations, our understanding of the bottom currents is very limited. In this study, the relationships between surface and near‐bottom current fluctuations in different parts of the GoM are investigated by combining a collection of historical near‐bottom current measurements and satellite data. The results show that the bottom current variability is linked to local processes such as current instability or remote processes through planetary wave propagation. The surface and bottom coupling is mainly related to the short‐period variability generated along the Loop Current and the Loop Current eddies and has a significant influence on the bottom currents. Although the long‐period fluctuations have weak bottom expressions, they can modulate the strength of the short‐period coupling. Studying the coupling between the surface and bottom current fluctuations in the GoM can advance our understanding of mechanisms of the bottom currents that are important for the deep ocean ecosystem and industrial operations. Key Points: Surface and bottom currents in the Gulf of Mexico can be coupled locally by baroclinic instability and remotely by topographic Rossby wavesFluctuations generated along the Loop Current have stronger deep ocean expressions at the period of 30–90 days than at longer periodsSurface and bottom coupling in the Gulf of Mexico varies geographically and is modulated by the Loop Current and the Loop Current eddies [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Near-inertial oscillations (NIOs) are important for maintaining turbulent mixing that affects ocean circulation, biogeochemistry, and climate. The spatial and temporal variability of NIOs in the deep part of the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) has rarely been reported. In this study, a collection of moored current observations was used to examine the spatiotemporal variability of NIOs in the GoM. In the upper layer (0–800 m), a strong seasonal variability of NIOs appears in the eastern GoM with larger amplitudes in winter than in summer and is attributed to the seasonal variability of surface winds and mixed layer depth. In the bottom layer (within 400 m above the bottom), strong NIOs are found in the middle and eastern GoM and show weaker seasonal variability. While winds still matter for the seasonal variability of NIOs in the bottom layer in the eastern GoM, low-frequency flows generally play a more important role in regulating NIOs through interactions with topography, particularly on the continental slope. • In the upper 800 m of eastern, northwestern GoM, NIOs are the strongest in winter. • Stronger upper-layer NIOs in winter are related to winds and mixed layer depth. • In the bottom 400 m, strong NIOs are found in the middle and eastern GoM. • Strong bottom-layer NIOs are related to background flow-topography interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]