Comparative analysis of mesoscale eddies based on Eulerian and Lagrangian frameworks

Zekai CHEN; Yifan LIU; Qiong XIA

doi:10.1007/s00343-025-4160-y

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Comparative analysis of mesoscale eddies based on Eulerian and Lagrangian frameworks

Physics | Updated：2026-03-26

- Comparative analysis of mesoscale eddies based on Eulerian and Lagrangian frameworks
- Journal of Oceanology and Limnology Vol. 44, Issue 1, Pages: 50-70(2026)
- Affiliations：
  
  1.Department of Marine Technology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China
  2.Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519080, China
  3.Zhanjiang Bay Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Zhanjiang 524000, China
- Author bio：
  
  xiaqiong2014@gmail.com
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1007/s00343-025-4160-y
  CLC：
- Received：16 June 2024，
  
  Accepted：21 December 2024，
  
  Online First：10 March 2025，
  
  Published：01 January 2026
- Accepted：
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CHEN Zekai,LIU Yifan,XIA Qiong.Comparative analysis of mesoscale eddies based on Eulerian and Lagrangian frameworks[J].Journal of Oceanology and Limnology,2026,44(01):50-70.
DOI：

CHEN Zekai,LIU Yifan,XIA Qiong.Comparative analysis of mesoscale eddies based on Eulerian and Lagrangian frameworks[J].Journal of Oceanology and Limnology,2026,44(01):50-70. DOI： 10.1007/s00343-025-4160-y.

摘要

Abstract

The study of mesoscale eddies is generally categorized in Eule

rian or Lagrangian frameworks. We employed the eddy identification techniques in both frameworks in the South China Sea (SCS)

examining the differential characteristics of mesoscale eddies ascertained through each approach

and attempting to identify factors influencing eddy lifetime. The findings suggest that eddies identified via the sea surface height (SSH) method in the Eulerian framework typically have larger spatial extents compared to those identified using the Lagrangian Average Vorticity Deviation (LAVD) method. The latter is characterized by a greater number of vortices with smaller average values of characteristic parameters. SSH eddies exhibited more remarked seasonal variations than LAVD vortices

and the seasonal variations of their respective cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies showed opposite trends. Analysis in both frameworks indicates that eddy lifetime is positively correlated with various eddy characteristic parameters

including radius

vorticity

kinetic energy

amplitude

EKE/MKE (ratio of boundary to spatial mean kinetic energy)

and

(max rotation speed to mean propagation speed ratio). A subsequent comparison between SSH eddies with LAVD cores (SSH eddy with LAVD vortex inside) and those without reveals a greater likelihood of extended lifetime in the former. Compared to the characteristic parameters of eddies

the presence of LAVD cores emerges as a critical factor in determining the lifetime of SSH eddies.

关键词

Keywords

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