Exploring Mesoscale Eddies in the Mediterranean: A Remote Sensing Approach with META3 Product Data

Al-Darasi, M.; Li, Z.; Wu, W.; Muallem, E.; Taqi, A., and Zhang, X., 2025. Exploring mesoscale eddies in the Mediterranean: A remote sensing approach with META3 product data. Journal of Coastal Research, 41(3), 482–495. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. An investigation was undertaken in the Mediterranean region to examine mesoscale eddies using data from the META3 model. These data possess the capability to identify conspicuous hydrographic features and temporary and permanent eddies simultaneously. This research focused on cyclonic eddies (CEs) and anticyclonic eddies (ACEs) that transpired from 1993 to 2020. The purpose of this research was to investigate both short- and long-term mesoscale eddies in the Mediterranean region. The data from the META3 product were employed to analyze eddies in the Mediterranean region so as to align the product's information with the study's objectives. Throughout this temporal span, 22,245 eddies, encompassing both short- and long-term variations, were recorded. ACEs accounted for 44.8% of the total, whereas CEs accounted for 55.2%. Similarly, long-lived eddies accounted for 55.3%, whereas short-lived eddies accounted for 44.7%. Overall, a higher percentage of cyclonic vortices was observed in comparison to anticyclonic vortices. Furthermore, the seasonal variations of vortices revealed that the winter season possesses the greatest vortex density. Hence, it is imperative to investigate eddies in the Mediterranean region to develop climate indices that can approximate atmospheric variability, as well as to comprehend the water cycle and variations in temperature, salinity, and nutrients.